Fair Haven Farm, LLC

I kept my horse We rode many miles, won many shows, and we spent hundreds of hours side by side. Now you’re old, you’re retired, and you’re my old man. ... I kept my horse when he went lame- every damn time. I kept my horse when I fell off - it wasn’t his fault anyways. I kept my horse when I thought it shouldn’t be this hard- I didn’t know that’s how I would learn. I kept my horse when he told me he couldn’t be ridden anymore - because I know compassion. I kept my horse when I moved away for college and struggled with time- because he’s family. I kept my horse when I was broke- because sometimes times are tough. I kept my horse when he couldn’t jump high and run fast because I could see that he still would try if If I asked but he shouldn’t. I kept my horse when I bought a new one- 3 actually, because he’s irreplaceable. I kept my horse when I wished I had room for one that was sound- because I owe it to him. I kept my horse when he was costing me more money to feed then any of my riding horses, because money isn’t everything. When his legs had enough- and all he could bare to carry was his own weight, I still kept my horse. When his career as a riding horse was over- I knew I had to keep my horse. No one owes this horse a retirement except for me, and shame on anyone who selfishly convinces themselves otherwise. I owe him so much more for what he has done for me, but I plan to try and make it up to him when he has nothing more to offer me. Because that’s how it should be be

Please do not pm me through this page. The account has been hacked and does an auto answer to a gmail address. It is Not Me! I don’t know what he’s up to! I am trying to fix it with FB-

Here's Milano's jump off on our way to winning the $40,000 Grand Prix at West Palms Events Sacramento International Welcome Week:

Oh, dear. Looking at this photo, I hardly know where to start. There is no harmony here, no grace, no partnership between horse and rider, only compulsion, dom...ination and abuse. The draw reins have obviously been used to pull this poor creature’s neck into his chest and the figure-eight noseband is so tight that the horse could not relax his jaw, even if he wanted to. German dressage legend, the late Reiner Klimke, famously remarked, My horse is not my slave, he is my friend. I hope riders who see this photo will take his advice to heart. Horses are made by nature to be free-roaming herd animals. When we enter into a partnership with them, they surrender freedom and the company of other horses, two of their strongest characteristics, for the doubtful benefits of a life in a 12-by-12 stall with regulated grazing and occasional structured, controlled and solitary exercise. Many horses in such circumstances dedicate themselves to their human partners and find dignity in their work. Their generous and kind acceptance of this one-sided bargain makes it even more essential that we speak out against abuse and prevent it wherever possible. In this era of mass communication, there is talk of expanding our sport to an ever-widening circle of spectators to gain interest and respect for our two- and four-legged athletes. However, if we would gain the world’s respect, we must first make ourselves respectable. In this column, Jim Wofford examines different kinds of abuse, none of which have any place in horse sports, and how to confront it. More on Jim's thoughts >>https://practicalhorsemanmag.com//abuse-several-faces-all- Photo: Amy K. Dragoo/AIMMEDIA

A lovely gallop riding Cherity on the trail through Fair Haven Farm

I just discovered that this page was hacked! Please do not message me through this page. I did NOT respond with a political statement!

Darlene Sandin Aboard " Alley Oop " Placing Second In The $85,000 American Gold Grand Prix 1992.

The horse does not know his score, at the end of the dressage test. Only, that he went along, just as he was ridden. Lazy by nature he tried only as much as h...e knew would be insisted on. However, being pretty and relaxed, as well as a relatively good mover, has earned him many points and blue ribbons in the past. His young rider though, has ambitions, and he cannot meet them. He will be put on the market and then sold. The horse does not know... the time on the clock, at the end of the jumping round. All she knows is that she tried, even though some of the lines ridden to the fence depended on her heart, to clear them. She knows, that some of the spots where she left the ground, were hard to navigate a fence from. She only knows that it is her job is to jump what is in front of her. She trusts her riders guidance to help her, to do that job. The horse does not know... a fraction of a second divides the winners and the losers in the rodeo barrel racing finals. He does not know that less than 16 seconds of his efforts could earn enough cash to keep him in hay and grain for the rest of his life. All he knows is that he must apply all his efforts into a very concentrated time span, and that the young lady that rides him is his very best friend. The horse does not know... losing this race might put his very life in jeopardy. He knows his leg hurts and so do his lungs. He knows he is not the fastest horse out here. He is trying his hardest and some of the others are just coasting and he still cannot keep up. He knows he must run, because that is what he was born, and trained, to do. He does not know that this is his last race and two weeks from now his life will be over. The horse does not know... now that summer camp is done and the last of the children have returned to school, that she is an expense. One that will not be maintained through the winter. She does not know that the auction she has been sent to has no buyers for a horse like her. She knows she will do as she is asked and so when the others who share her fate, climb onto the trailer that smells of fear and of death, she obediently climbs on too. The horse does not know... growing old in a pasture, or a stall, is not a right, that all horses enjoy. His owners are old too, and they cannot care for him... and themselves. He knows he has been a member of this family and has lived here at this farm, for as long as he can remember. Sure his joints ache a bit and he would rather saunter than gallop these days. The family members of his humans do not consider him part of their family. They give him to a man that says he wants a companion horse for his wife’s gelding. There is no wife and there is no gelding. Twenty four hours later he is on a truck bound for Mexico. The world is simple to a horse. They take each day as it comes and none of them...trained or untrained...winners or losers...unstarted or retired, deserve to get on a slaughter bound truck. However each year, thousands and thousands do. It is up to each of us to do what we can for those with no voice of their own. Educate yourself and others. Care for your horses, rehome responsibly, pay for your horses retirement, or pay to euthanize them. Check out your local rescue and get involved. Be the change that must occur in the equine industry so we can all look up, smile and say. I am...part of the solution.

Mitigating circumstances (aka Maximus) prevented me from cleaning Cherity’s entire stall...

I am proud to say that with each curve ball Mother Nature throws my way, I appreciate my farm even more! Following health guidelines I have limited help, but al...l the horses are on their regular schedule, just being ridden less. Turn-out, going on the walker one or two times, trotting on the walker, getting longed in the round pen- all things which keep them healthy happy and exercised- and I can do it alone since my farm is set up for efficiency ( I have help daily with morning chores and pm help a few days a week- I only ride when I have someone else here) See more

Friends in the equine industry, please see attached fact sheet: Equine Operations, Horse Boarding Businesses, and Riding Facilities - what you need to know during COVID-19 Pandemic.